If you thought Volkswagen made inexpensive cars, think again. This 2013 VW Touareg sport utility vehicle tips the scales at just over $63,000. An Audi by any other name...
(All photos by Michael Taylor)

If you thought Volkswagen made inexpensive cars, think again. This 2013 VW Touareg sport utility vehicle tips the scales at just over $63,000. An Audi by any other name...
(All photos by Michael Taylor)

The Touareg Hybrid has that distinct feel of Germanic luxury – subdued leather seats, all the high-tech options you’re likely to want, such as rear-view camera, rain-sensing wipers, great sound system, full panoramic sunroof, 12-way power driver’s seat with seat memory, and on and on until it fills up the window sticker. (Speaking of window stickers, you can opt for a much less expensive Touareg by choosing the base V6, 280 horsepower version, for about $44,000.) less

The Touareg Hybrid has that distinct feel of Germanic luxury – subdued leather seats, all the high-tech options you’re likely to want, such as rear-view camera, rain-sensing wipers, great sound system, full ... more

The Touareg Hybrid has that distinct feel of Germanic luxury –... Photo-5510825.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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On the road, the Touareg hybrid is quiet and, when you need it, quite fast. The combination of supercharged three-liter V6 333-horsepower engine and 47-horsepower electric motor (380 bhp, in all) is enough to get the car up to extra-legal speeds in a matter of seconds. Even if you’re hauling five people and a bunch of luggage, the car is still pretty fast. less

On the road, the Touareg hybrid is quiet and, when you need it, quite fast. The combination of supercharged three-liter V6 333-horsepower engine and 47-horsepower electric motor (380 bhp, in all) is enough to ... more

On the road, the Touareg hybrid is quiet and, when you need it,... Photo-5510826.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Touareg shares its platform with not only the Audi version but also the Porsche Cayenne. All this leads to mention of others you should look at – some are considerably less expensive – while you’re checking out the VW. Among them: BMW X5, Volvo XC90, Cadillac SRX, Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Lexus GX460 and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. less

The Touareg shares its platform with not only the Audi version but also the Porsche Cayenne. All this leads to mention of others you should look at – some are considerably less expensive – while you’re ... more

The Touareg shares its platform with not only the Audi version but... Photo-5510827.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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The front seats are predictably comfortable -- again, VW can draw from its upscale Audi division for ideas on the interior -- and it's clearly a car for the long haul.

The front seats are predictably comfortable -- again, VW can draw from its upscale Audi division for ideas on the interior -- and it's clearly a car for the long haul.

The rear seats are comfortable and have enough room for two people to travel long distances. With three people, it's still okay, but a bit crowded.

The rear seats are comfortable and have enough room for two people to travel long distances. With three people, it's still okay, but a bit crowded.

The rear seats are comfortable and have enough room for two people... Photo-5510829.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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All around the car’s interior, you have the trappings of the modern upscale SUV. Plenty of switches and buttons to heat up the seats, cool down the interior, navigate your way (8-inch nav screen) from LA to NY, and slide open the panoramic roof glass. less

All around the car’s interior, you have the trappings of the modern upscale SUV. Plenty of switches and buttons to heat up the seats, cool down the interior, navigate your way (8-inch nav screen) from LA to ... more

All around the car’s interior, you have the trappings of the... Photo-5510830.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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Among a profusion of other Volkswagens (the air-cooled version is long gone), is the Touareg hybrid, a paean to the gods of luxury, a fitting ride for the CEO, the Trustafarian, the movie star who does not want to appear too flashy but does want to show he or she can afford a classy and rich car. A VW as classy and rich car? less

Among a profusion of other Volkswagens (the air-cooled version is long gone), is the Touareg hybrid, a paean to the gods of luxury, a fitting ride for the CEO, the Trustafarian, the movie star who does not want ... more

Among a profusion of other Volkswagens (the air-cooled version is... Photo-5510831.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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Unlike most auto makers, VW gives us two visors for each position – one to put out to the side, when the sun is coming in abeam, and the other for when the sun is directly ahead. This is a great boon when you’re driving on a curving road that keeps putting the car directly into the late afternoon sun and then off to the side of the sun. It means you don’t have to keep moving a single sun visor from side to front to side. less

Unlike most auto makers, VW gives us two visors for each position – one to put out to the side, when the sun is coming in abeam, and the other for when the sun is directly ahead. This is a great boon when ... more

Unlike most auto makers, VW gives us two visors for each position... Photo-5510832.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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The brakes on our tester were kind of grabby and it took a while to give them a light touch. Maybe it was something to do with the regenerative braking system, but they were quite sensitive.

The brakes on our tester were kind of grabby and it took a while to give them a light touch. Maybe it was something to do with the regenerative braking system, but they were quite sensitive.

The brakes on our tester were kind of grabby and it took a while to... Photo-5510833.74769 - San Antonio Express-News

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The Touareg Hybrid is not the first ultra-pricey VW to be sold in the U.S. Shortly after the turn of the century, VW cobbled up a terrifically fast luxury sedan called the Phaeton. In the U.S., customers had the choice of a V8 or W12 engine and the thing just flew. It had all the luxo mod cons of an Audi A8 or a Mercedes-Benz S-class and it was priced accordingly. Well-equipped models were going for around $85,000. In America, the car lasted from 2002 through the 2006 model year, when declining sales caused VW to stop importing the Phaeton. less

The Touareg Hybrid is not the first ultra-pricey VW to be sold in the U.S. Shortly after the turn of the century, VW cobbled up a terrifically fast luxury sedan called the Phaeton. In the U.S., customers had ... more

The Touareg Hybrid is not the first ultra-pricey VW to be sold in... Photo-5510834.74769 - San Antonio Express-News